How to Get Compiz Fusion Working in Ubuntu

Many people like graphical effects on the desktop. Programs like Compiz Fusion offer some of the most amazing graphical effects or "eye candy" that most have ever seen on an operating system. One thing that many new Ubuntu users want to know is how to get Compiz Fusion working on their system so that they can have that type of desktop environment.

Newer versions of Ubuntu are starting to come with Compiz installed, but if you do not have it, go to the Synaptic Package Manager and search for Compiz. Install that program and dependencies to the system, to install from a terminal session run the command "sudo apt-get install compiz compizconfig-settings-manger" this will install the core software and all dependencies.

Once installed it can be confusing because it is difficult to find the program in the Applications menu. Many times the program is hidden. Right click on the Applications menu and go to the menu editor, Compiz is generally under the Other tab which has to be enabled to show up. The other options are to open the terminal and type in "compiz" or to create a shortcut in a different menu that runs the "compiz" command.

This turns on Compiz but then nothing happens. This is because you have to set up which effects are on for them to work. This needs the program compizconfig-settings-manager to be able to adjust which effects you want on or not. When installed this will be found under System » Preferences.

This application will let you turn on and off the effects that you want on. You can also set up keyboard commands to turn on those effects and use them. There are default ones that are pretty standard but you can customize it to whatever you want in the settings manager program.

At this point it's all up to personal preference to what you want Compiz to do with your Ubuntu installation. The most popular features include Scale, Desktop Wall, Shift Switcher, Window Preview and Cube.

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